Isaiah 43 Audio:

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God’s unchangeable love for his people

1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Apostates and idolaters addressed

8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

G Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Ver. 1.And. Notwithstanding the sins of his people, God will deliver them, that they may be his witnesses. v. 10. C. — Name. As an intimate friend, (H.) or slave. C. xlix. 1. C. — God grants grace without any preceding merit. W. — Forerius explains this mostly of the Gentile church, though it regards the converted Jews. Houbig.

Ver. 2.Waters. In every emergency, God will protect thee, (C.) as he did the three children. H. — He will suffer none to perish, without their own fault. Hence the Church still continues pure. W.

Ver. 3.Ethiopia. Heb. “Chus,” the isle of Meroe, (Grot.) or the country bordering on the Red Sea. C. xlv. 14. These were given to indemnify Cyrus. They obtained their liberty to return home, after 40 years. Ezec. xxix. 11.

Ver. 4.Eyes, by a gratuitous choice. — Men. Chaldees, &c.

Ver. 5.East. Babylon. — West. The island beyond the Mediterranean.

Ver. 6.North. Assyria. — South. Egypt. The captives returned from these countries under Cyrus, Alex. &c. so that before the coming of Christ, Judea was as well peopled as ever. C.

Ver. 8.Ears. Yet will not hear, (C.) or who are miraculously healed. H. — It seems rather to mean idolatrous nations, (v. 9. C.) or rebellious Jews. Forer. Houbigant.

Ver. 9.Former. The pagans were little acquainted with antiquity. Such researches lead to the knowledge of the true religion. H. — Truth, if they can produce any true prophecy.

Ver. 10.Witnesses. The history of the Israelites was sufficient to shew who was God. C. — Thus the establishment of Christianity manifests its truth. S. Aug. de Civ. Dei. xxii. 6. — Sept. add, “and I am witness.” H.

Ver. 12.One idol, to announce what would happen.

Ver. 14.Bars. Sept. “fugitives.” Theodot. “strong ones.” — Glorying. Sept. “shall be bound in ships,” to be sent beyond the Caspian Sea. C. — Cyrus was victorious for the sake of God’s people; for he will not neglect his Church. W.

Ver. 16.Waters. of the Jordan and the Red Sea, in the latter of which Pharao perished. v. 17.

Ver. 19.New. I shall work the like miracles as were seen in the wilderness.

Ver. 20.Chosen. We know not that rivers were found in Arabia. But the people were equally favoured. Christ facilitates the road to heaven by his example and graces, while the most savage tempers are changed in baptism.